865 Tasting Notes
Must… have… mandarin matcha… I practically had to tear myself away from my mandarin matcha to have this for my 2nd serving of the day. Don’t get me wrong, this is amazing! Made it thick (1 scoop/3oz water) as a palate cleanser for dinner- Wendy’s Asian boneless wings! Smooth, thick, a little creamy, and grassy. Heaven.
Preparation
This blend is brought to you by steepster! Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for the inspiration to make a ginger peach tea and thank you to Ricky for giving me some of this as well as white peach which was my only other peach choice.
Ricky gave me exactly 3g. Enough for a perfect 8oz cuppa. I added 1.5g of ginger root. The raw leaves smell slightly of peach jello, but they also do have a distinct tea smell.
The taste is an equal balance of tea w/ hints of peach and ginger, although I do wish the peach was a hint stronger. I’m excited to see what additional steeps will give me and will definitely be buying a sample size of this for my own.
Preparation
2nd infusion, 6 min. Lighter liquor. More ginger peach aroma. I think I like the flavor of this one a little better. The oolong itself is sweeter which plays nicely w/ the peach and the ginger doesn’t control the show.
Sweet, winging success! I need to invest in a food scale so I can measure stuff more properly. I’ll also need to get myself a tea thermometer when the time comes.
I have an extra scale- shoot me an email and I’ll give you a good deal:)
Now now, I don’t need one… yet :D
3rd infusion 7 min. Just a ginger oolong now. Kinda disappointed. The liquor is still pretty dark so I know the leaves aren’t ready to die. I just hope the ginger doesn’t choke out the oolong before it’s meant to die.
Woke up to mom making gingerbread coffee this morning so I had that 1st instead of my matcha. Turned out to be the most flat, flavorless coffee I’ve ever had, but it wasn’t weak or diluted. Unflavored coffees have more flavor than this one! Sadly my dad and step mom got me a bag of random coffees for Christmas so now I have just as much coffee as I do tea in the house. Don’t get me wrong, I love coffee- but I don’t drink it nearly as much as I do tea. Oh well. I cold brewed one of the bags so I can make dirty chai lattes. Terry drinks coffee so I think she might be pulling the “I get you what I like” card that my dad does and they both accuse me of…
I said I would be having a full bowl of matcha every day for the month of Jan. (Does anyone know if there’s a National Matcha Month?), but today I think I’ll divide that into 1 portion of thick matcha and then half a bowl of thin matcha because I really want to try this prepared thick.
1 scoop matcha/3oz water. Definitely thicker in constistancy, but still mixes well as it did when I prepared it thin although I do give it a little help w/ my chasen. When I remove my chasen from the matcha I see a single orange cell (or is it called a membrane?) stuck to one of the threads. Yes! Proof that real oranges were indeed used.
The flavor is definitely stronger, more concentrated. But it is not bitter, chunky, or gritty. This is no doubt due to the very fine texture of the matcha. This would be a wonderful starter matcha specifically for someone looking to prepare it thick. Whatever way you decide to prepare it, this matcha won’t disappoint you.
Preparation
YAY!!! I’M THE 1ST TO LOG THIS!!!
1st some 52teas business:
~Price point: Amazing -$12.99 for 2oz matcha and NO SHIPPING!
~Shipping: Again FREE, but there’s no tracking code which is a – for me (you can have it shipped not USPS for a charge, but a tracking code isn’t worth $ to me)
~Delivery time: Again, it was free (not many companies don’t charge you shipping for a 2oz package costing $12.99) and yes it was winter (which includes Christmas), but I ordered this way back on 12/18 so 15 days (double the estimate I was given) is a little less than reasonable for me especially considering I thought the estimate I was given was already on the long side, but it may have just been a fluke and will give a more fair, unbaised, and accurate shipping rating when I make my next purchase.
~Free stuff (other than shipping): I loved getting their Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Tea pamphlet and even learned something new- Pu Erh is not a sub type of black tea like I thought it was, it is its own category. I also loved their How to Make a Fat Free Chai or Tea Latte! card (and bonus points for going health concious and putting "fat free).
~Steeping/Preparating directions: Anyone who knows anything about matcha knows that you do not steep matcha (which implies decanting). Both the website and the packaging state to steep matcha for 2-3min. Now I know, and you know, that the people at 52teas and Zoomdweebie’s actually do know their tea (I mean come on, you gotta be a genius to come up w/ a way to flavor matcha like this!), but steeping/preparation directions like this really shoot their credibility in the tea cup. It would also be nice, since it is matcha, to have the suggested amount in scoops and not teaspoons.
Now on to the review… which I have to admit that I’m selfishly going to regret posting this because I just know as soon as you read this everyone will make a mad dash to their website and order the rest. But… since they have reblended some teas (like their Maple Bacon Flavored Black tea which there is only 1 left in their 2nd batch), I’m praying that when it does run out (which I can promise you will be very shortly) they will not only come out w/ many other flavored matchas, but reblend their original. Ok, ok… I’ve stalled enough. On to the review.
Holy amazing matcha!!! The color is not a bright and vibrant green, but more olive and the texture is by far the finest of the 3 “raw” matchas I’ve seen… Although due to the choice of packaging it does get a little clumpy, but sifting it fixes this problem completely. The aroma is slightly sweet w/ a very mild orange sent.
I made this thin because I wanted a whole bowl (not only am I freakishly excited about this and it’s National Hot Tea Month, the wind chill is -30). 2 scoops in the bottom of my matcha bowl and 16oz of hot water poured over it.
Oh. My. Matcha! I can hardly contain myself! THIS FOAMS! I can’t even say that I got it to foam, because it foamed as soon as the water hit it. It’s certainly not latte or cappuccino foam, but there is definitely a thin seafoam green layer on top! I don’t think it needs it, but I give it a quick wisk anyway. And now for the taste… I just have to quote Michelle Tanner again… Yummy in my tummy! Smooth (almost creamy in texture actually), slightly sweet, slightly orangy. The matcha flavor itself isn’t as strong as other brands I’ve tried, but it is there. Maybe mix it 1/2 and 1/2 w/ an unflavored brand? But then will the orange be too light? Perfect.
Who should try this: Everyone! But specifically: Those that like to flavor their own matchas (this makes flavored matcha so much quicker), those that like sweet matchas (I do believe this is both sugar and artificial sweetener free except for the fructose in the oranges, but I could be wrong), those that want to make matcha ice cream or frozen yogurt, and those that are looking to try matcha on a budget (this is ~23 cents/gram- remember, no shipping to factor into the price per serving).
Note: The matcha flavor itself probably only earns a 98/100 in my book (I was hoping for a more savory matcha w/ an orange flavor, not sherbet-esk), but the other 2 are easily earned for: price, easy of preparation (little or no whisking needed when made thin as well as having it preflavored), ease of foam forming on top, and pure novelty.
P.S. Because I had a LOT to say and I just had a full bowl of matcha, this review took me 37 min to write!=D
Preparation
2oz for $13 is really cheap matcha. Actually, probably the cheapest I’ve ever seen. Is it citrus peel orange or is it orange juice orange?
It’s kind of hard to tell because the flavor is so light. I’m going to prepare it thick (3oz of water/1 scoop matcha) so I should be able to tell you more then, but I’m kinda thinking peel at this point- or maybe fresh squeezed pure juice, no sweetener of any kind. That little bit of liquid in my big, beautiful matcha bowl… seems like a waste…
I was thinking and rereading this (because I’m still so excited!) and I think it’s like a matcha orange sherbet.
That sounds amazing! Orange sherbet tea would be a winner in my book.
Now orange sherbet would taste good, I’m not a fan of orange citrus peel. Sadly, I wouldn’t be able to make this into a latte, maybe a smoothie.
@Ricky, orange sherbet wasn’t really accurate cuz there was absolutely no vanilla or cream flavor to it. I’m just trying (and failing miserably) to wrap my head around the flavor and define it verbally. But yeah, I don’t think it would be a good latte for me. I love MarketSpice chai, but since it has orange in it, when I add any amount of cream, creamer, or milk, it tastes like a hot, melted, dreamsicle.
I just wanna say that this review totally made me smile.
Michelle Tanner reference for the win!
Andrea- isn’t it wonderful when reading about someone’s tea experience can make you smile w/o even having any yourself?
Madison- lol I hope I didn’t sound too childish or immature, but I was so excited that was the only thing I could think to justify how good it tasted!:)
oh don’t worry that was one of those smile moments where you just go… Oh yea! I forgot about that!
Totally awesome
I’m home alone most of the time and silence freaks me out so I have the tv on while I’m on steepster- and sometimes that’s the best thing on. It’s kinda fun to watch shows as an adult that you used to watch as a kid and to see what you missed. The Golden Girls is another good one for that lol.
mmmm this sounds yummy. I am almost out of my current matcha and have been searching for a new one. Thanks for sharing =]
There is no such thing as free shipping… if it’s “free” it is already included in the price you pay for tea. Actually the more tea you are purchasing the more you are paying for your shipping.
The “free” shipping helps with impulse buys. Two ounce via USPS takes about $2 to deliver (I think $1.69 is the exact value, I could very likely be wrong), assuming it’s in a small package form and not a regular envelope. That being said I think we’re still getting a pretty good deal from their tea.
I saw on TV yesterday that those little orange membranes I find on my chasen are called vessicles.
hehehe vessicles… that just sounds dirty
Oh wow what a price for such a flavorful matcha! Do you think they ground up orange peel as well in the mix or something else?
Their website states “freeze dried orange sections and natural flavoring”. You should totally get some:)
This sounds neat, but the color description is a little off-putting….the fresher and higher quality the matcha, the brighter green it should be. Still, it sounds like it’s worth trying, at least.
Get it while you can Shanti, you will not regret it.
Shanti, I think the lighter green is because of the froth or foam on top (whatever you want to call it). This morning the lighter color did not cover the entire bowl, you could see the dark green underneath.
Oh, I meant the dry matcha…I read online that the higher quality the matcha powder is, the more bright, almost radioactive green it will look. But I still have not tried matcha yet, so I really don’t know much about it at all!! Which is why I’m so excited to try the Mandarin Matcha :)
I’m sure the additives had something to do w/ it.
I had this @ Subway today w/ my sub. Didn’t loook at the cup, but I think this might have both green and black tea in it. The tea itself is just your basic unsweetened iced tea, but this gets a 100 from me because it’s rare I can get unsweetened iced tea when I go out to eat.
Preparation
I can’t even begin to imagine the gasps this post will get lol. Yes, I drank this. Dinner will be late tonite and I needed something more than just plain tea to hold me over so I decided to go w/ this because of the protein, fiber, and vitamin content. And yes, I did give it a 100. Not because I like it, but for what it is. If you like sweetened black iced tea, this is amazing if only for the added nutrition. How’s that for an unbaised review? I desperately wish they had a green tea version though… and unsweetened.
Preparation
LOL Sara! So glad you reviewed it because how else would we know about this neat drink with protein and other goodies? Will be sure to check it out next grocery store trip. I get grumpy when hungry and this would help:)
Nice review I don’t think this is too far fetched tea has water in it anyway.
@silvermage2000, I never said it was far fetched. Sure is healthier than most other instant iced teas.
Kellogg’s makes sweet water? Well that’s new to me.
@Ricky, It isn’t sweet water. It’s sweetened instant iced tea w/ extra nutrition.
@Cofftea, laughing at this exchange :)
For those that aren’t big on matcha, here’s another drinking chocolate I just made:
1/3 c. milk (chocolate or plain)
3TB drinking chocolate mix
1 heaping teaspoon of your favorite chai
1 packet (individual serving) instant coffee
1TB spiced rum creamer (pumpkin spice would also be killer)
Heat milk til bubbles start forming on the surface and add chai. Steep for 5 min and strain. Add chocolate mix, instant coffee, and creamer. Mix completely, pour into your favorite bowl, and drink up!
This went down so good last nite I decided to have it again. This time, 1 scoop matcha/3oz water/1TB (.5oz) white chocolate coffee creamer. The creamer made the matcha creamy, and a lil sweet, but also a little savory. I’ve always considered white chocolate to be both sweet and savory, probably because it’s actuallly cocoa butter. Makes me think matcha would pair WONDERFULLY w/ white drinking chocolate (is there even such a thing?) because I think the white chocolate would let the matcha come thru more than a dark or semi sweet. The creamer and water were also in a good ratio- the consistancy was creamy instead of diluted cream. I hate when that happens… probably why I’m so picky w/ my chais.
